[Jewelry making - Article 00900] - [Orchid] Etchant shelf life

[Leslie C Gordon]

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Hi Folks,

    I've found lots of good information about etching and etchants
    online, but very little about the shelf life of the chemicals. I am
    using ferric chloride (bottled liquid from Radio Shack) to etch
    copper and brass, and ferric nitrate (purchased dry crystals to
    dissolve in water) to etch silver. 

    If I only do etching once or twice a year or so, how long will the
    chemicals remain fresh, viable, and useful? What if I have some old
    ferric chloride that's been sealed but sitting in a cabinet for
    several years? Still any good? If I mix up the ferric nitrate, must
    it be used right away? 

Thanks for your advice.
Leslie Gordon

 
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